What is better to choose for construction aerated concrete or expanded clay concrete – comparison of characteristics

Making the correct choice of building materials can have a big impact on the construction project’s quality, longevity, and affordability. Expanded clay concrete and aerated concrete are two common choices. Every one of them has a distinct set of qualities that suit various kinds of building.

Aerated concrete is a lightweight precast foam concrete building material that is also referred to as autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC). It is renowned for having superior thermal insulation qualities, which support the upkeep of a cozy interior environment. Aerated concrete is also simple to work with, which facilitates speedy and effective construction. Its excellent soundproofing and fire resistance only serve to increase its allure.

Conversely, expanded clay concrete is created by heating natural clay and expanding it to create light-weight aggregate particles. The exceptional strength and longevity of this kind of concrete make it valuable. It provides some thermal insulation, but not as much as concrete that has been aerated. Additionally well-known for its ability to withstand moisture and frost, expanded clay concrete is perfect for outdoor and load-bearing structures.

Which expanded clay concrete or aerated concrete is best for your project will depend on its particular requirements. Aerated concrete might be a better option if thermal insulation and handling convenience are your top priorities. Expanded clay concrete, on the other hand, might be more appropriate if durability and strength in challenging circumstances are more important. Knowing the main distinctions between these materials will enable you to choose the best option for your building requirements.

Differences in the methods of producing materials

• Cement;
• Sand;
• Water;
• Aluminum powder, necessary for gas formation;
• Lime;
• Other additives.

Although it is widely produced industrially, the technology is easy enough to learn in the context of small businesses or on an individual basis when building your own house.

The qualities of blocks made at a large plant with pricey machinery will be fundamentally different from those of handcrafted goods.

Usually, this concrete is divided into smaller pieces after it has been poured into large forms. Concrete is poured into forms in a single, small-scale production; no sawing is done.

Producing expanded clay concrete involves less complicated technology. It works well for small-scale production, such as making the foundation or building blocks by hand for a personal residence. The two primary steps of production are component mixing and molding.

For production, the following raw materials are used:

A unique method is used to obtain expanded clay, a porous material, from clay or other raw materials that contain it, such as clay shales. Because expanded clay has air holes, it has better thermal insulation qualities and lowers the final product’s weight. It serves as a filler, and cement acts as the binding agent.

Distinctive qualities of aerated and expanded clay concrete

Multi-story buildings can be constructed using expanded clay concrete because the filler gives it higher strength characteristics (up to 150 kg/cm2). The maximum load that aerated concrete can sustain is 35 to 65 kg/cm2. The light weight of the aerated concrete blocks offsets this drawback. Building walls more than 15 meters away from them is not advised, though. Concrete’s composition and structure are the cause of this variation.

The operational properties are determined by the surface structure. Utilizing expanded clay as a filler when laying concrete blocks necessitates a 1.5 cm thick layer of cement-sand mixture. All that is needed to install aerated concrete is 0.2 cm of specialty adhesive.

Because of the cold bridges that the seams create, walls constructed of expanded clay concrete, which is less heat-permeable, are less heat-resistant. This is because the thickness of the seams affects thermal insulation.

In this instance, completing the room will not take a long time and will require less work because of how smoothly the building components are constructed. The surface of expanded clay concrete needs to be leveled with careful plastering.

It’s critical to comprehend the primary distinctions between expanded clay concrete and aerated concrete when choosing between the two for construction. Aerated concrete is perfect for residential buildings and regions with significant temperature fluctuations because it is lighter, provides superior thermal insulation, and is easy to handle. Conversely, expanded clay concrete is more resilient and strong, making it a good choice for constructions that need to withstand heavy loads and have superior moisture resistance. Builders can select the best material for a given project by evaluating its qualities and weighing aspects like cost, strength, insulation, and weight.

Which building material is more expensive

If you count in cubic meters when comparing expanded clay concrete and aerated concrete blocks, the average quality products are less expensive. However, there are several subtleties that cast doubt on this conclusion. When a building’s construction costs are taken into account, using it might be more profitable.

Before using this concrete, the reinforced belt device on top of the walls must be installed. Furthermore, such a design complication is rarely necessary for expanded clay concrete.

For this concrete, applying a single layer is more of an exception than a rule. It is more delicate and less dense. It is advised that the house’s walls—particularly the load-bearing ones—be made thicker than 20 cm. They are only assured to support the weight in this scenario.

Although it costs significantly more, aerated concrete produced from premium cement grades is equally strong to expanded clay concrete.

In order to determine which option—expanded clay concrete or aerated concrete—is better, we weigh every feature that could have an impact on the price of building supplies and living circumstances in the new house.

What to consider when choosing a material

Operational characteristics have an impact on the decision. For both materials, thermal insulation is a serious problem. Even though expanded clay-filled concrete blocks are among the best heat insulators, the methods used to install them degrade this quality.

This concrete’s walls have marginally better thermal protection qualities, hardly enough to qualify as a major benefit. Consequently, more thermal insulation is required for structures composed of expanded clay concrete and aerated concrete.

It is important to keep in mind that it is easily processed and less durable. This characteristic will be useful when building a house. However, you have to be prepared to decline using it to adorn the interior with bulky items. Carpets and paintings may not be able to support themselves on walls that collapse under weight.

For creating a monolithic foundation, expanded clay concrete is frequently utilized. The same can be said of aerated concrete. It needs to be strengthened in order to reach acceptable strength parameters.

Advantages and disadvantages of aerated concrete

• Low density causes low weight with the same volume. Weight is three times less than that of bricks;
• Use of special glue instead of cement when laying;
• Thin seams at the joints;
• Easy processing – excellent grinding, cutting;
• Smooth, even surface of products made in factory conditions allows to reduce labor costs for interior decoration.

• Relatively high fragility due to the presence of pores;
• Formation of cracks during shrinkage;
• High moisture permeability requires the installation of additional waterproofing;
• Requires the use of special fasteners;
• Buildings often suffer from rodents, which easily make passages in a relatively soft substance.

• High vapor permeability prevents condensation from accumulating in the room, making the room drier. When laying outside, additional insulation will be required.
• It is not recommended to make load-bearing structures. Due to increased fragility, consumption increases, the profitability of the building decreases.
• Excellent for the construction of internal partitions that do not bear loads.

Advantages and disadvantages of expanded clay blocks

• High strength;
• Low cost, almost one and a half times cheaper than construction using bricks;
• Easy to make yourself, since complex equipment is not required;
• Holds standard fasteners well;
• Durable, not prone to cracking;
• High biological resistance. Not prone to mold, mildew;
• Low vapor permeability;
• Non-flammable;
• Excellent sound insulation;

• The surface is rough, leveling requires additional efforts during finishing work;
• A special tool is needed for sawing;
• Wide cement seams, increase thermal conductivity of walls;
• Poorly withstands shock loads.

• Great for laying any walls: both partitions and carrying.
• Low moisture permeability reduces the requirements for hydraulic protection when creating the external walls of the building.
• Resistant to temperature drops.

It’s crucial to consider the various benefits of both expanded clay and aerated concrete when making a construction decision. Because of its superior thermal insulation and lightweight nature, aerated concrete is a fantastic material option for projects that prioritize energy efficiency. It is also a favorite among builders seeking simplicity and flexibility in construction due to its easy handling and versatility in cutting.

Expanded clay concrete, on the other hand, is notable for its exceptional strength and longevity. Heavy loads and severe weather don’t affect it, which makes it perfect for structures that need to be highly resilient. Its strong sound-absorbing qualities also help to create quieter interior spaces, which is often important in residential buildings.

Each material has advantages over the other, and the decision is mostly based on the particular requirements of the building project. Aerated concrete might be a better choice if the goal is to create a building that is extremely insulated and energy-efficient. Expanded clay concrete, however, might be more appropriate for projects that call for strong structural integrity and sound insulation.

In the end, knowing the qualities and advantages of each material can assist in helping to make an informed choice that fits the needs and objectives of the project. Aerated concrete and expanded clay concrete are two excellent options for meeting the demands of contemporary construction, regardless of the importance placed on thermal performance or structural strength.

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